Iris Street is leading a four-candidate slate that wants Sydney Mardi Gras to do more on trans rights and bring the festival closer to its protest roots.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras members will elect directors this month, with activist group Pride in Protest fielding Iris Street, Erin Moroney, Nikki Naidu and Jean Maxine.
In an interview published on 6 November, Street discussed the group’s decision to run a slate focused on trans representation. She makes the case in her official candidate statement that Mardi Gras should use its public profile to advocate more strongly for trans rights. She also says she would push to keep police out of the parade and for the organisation to align with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign.
Moroney, who describes themself as non-binary and transgender, makes community solidarity central to their candidacy and questions how Mardi Gras balances advocacy with corporate sponsorship. Naidu, who describes herself as transfemme, also points to the parade’s history as a protest and wants the organisation to put trans and queer voices at the centre of its decisions.
What Members Are Voting On
The official candidate pack also sets out different priorities. Treasurer Wendy Maloney is campaigning on financial oversight and governance. Co-chair Mits Delisle points to the organisation’s recent governance work and says he wants more room for community creativity and activism.
Directors are elected by members for two-year terms. Electronic voting closes at 5pm in Sydney on Tuesday 24 November, or 7pm NZDT. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd AGM begins at 10.30am Sydney time on Saturday 28 November, or 12.30pm NZDT. The separate Mardi Gras Arts meeting starts half an hour earlier.
For Kiwi festivalgoers, the election offers a look at the decisions behind the parade, from who gets to take part to how one of the region’s biggest Pride organisations uses its public voice.
